Soy Sauce for Many Purposes

Q. I recently burned two of my fingers on a hot oven. They had already started to blister when I remembered reading about the soy sauce remedy. It was like magic: both the pain and the blisters went away quickly. The next day, I just had two small red marks. I’ve been fascinated with this. When my son got his fourth huge mosquito bite of the week, I wondered if soy sauce might help reduce the swelling. His eye had swollen shut from a bite on his forehead, so when he was bitten on the cheek I applied some soy sauce to it. Within minutes, the swelling had receded, and it was completely invisible before he went to bed. Everyone should have soy sauce packets in their first aid kit! A. Thank you for the hint on mosquito bites. We’ve never heard before that soy sauce might help. Many other readers agree that soy sauce after cold water can be helpful for easing the pain and redness of kitchen burns. A serious burn deserves prompt medical attention.

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7 Thoughts Shared

JannH

December 4, 2011 at 9:28 am

Has anyone tried soy sauce for blisters caused by friction rather than burns? Two weeks ago I created a blister on one of my toes when a new sock became wrinkled and rubbed as I walked. Didn’t think of trying soy sauce on it, but wish I had. I’m thinking it would work, but would like to hear from anyone who tries it. My main goal was to prevent infection since the blister broke and it didn’t hurt so I used a triple antibiotic ointment, but if I had it to do over (which I hope I don’t), I would try applying some soy sauce for at least a few minutes before each application of the antibiotic ointment. Any thoughts on whether this would work better than just antibiotic ointment? It was a bad blister. Would also like to hear from anyone who tries treating friction blisters with the other remedies for burns (e.g., aloe vera) suggested for burns in the comments below.

John Myers

Spokane, WA

January 9, 2015 at 1:50 am

Soy sauce does work for friction blisters (at least for me it did). I had a 6 hour layover at salt lake city airport and didn’t want to just sit at my gate. I walked and walked to pass the time and had to sit after a few hours because 2 blisters erupted on each sole of my feet where the big toe starts at the forefoot. The next day when I got home I thought I’d try soy sauce on the two puffy, quarter sized blisters because it worked so well so many times with burns. I applied a few coats of soy sauce, letting each layer dry before the next application. It completely fixed the ‘raw’ sensation from the blister. It felt like normal skin but with some pressure from the fluid. I didn’t lance the blisters but was on the lookout for fluid coming off the blisters for the next day or so and can’t really say what happened after the soy sauce application. Discomfort gone with the soy. Pain gone, awareness gone.

KB

December 1, 2011 at 11:37 am

I used soy sauce on burned fingers. It did take the pain away. Even though my fingers were blistered, they began to heal right away. Now two days later they look fine too. I was/am amazed. What is the difference between soy sauce and aloe vera?

MF

September 13, 2011 at 11:13 am

I am very bothered by mosquito and other insect bites. The bites swell and itch for up to a week and none of the usual remedies work. The most effective one has been Lanacane but it has required frequent applications. Cortisone creams, even prescription strength not at all! When I read the post about soy sauce I was skeptical, but I thought I’d try it. It works! The itch went away the day I was bitten AND NEVER RETURNED and the swelling disappeared within a day. It just required a little dab, a few drops. I will be stocking up on the soy sauce envelopes at Chinese restaurants to take along on trips. Incidentally, I am 64 years old and have been suffering from these bites for many, many years. Why has no one discovered this before??

Pat

August 31, 2011 at 3:34 am

I have been using Vitamin E for many years for miner burns and cuts. Run cold water on burn for a few minutes, then puncture a Vitsmin E capsule with a sterilized needle and squeeze onto burn, cover with a bandaid for at least 12 hours. The pain is relieved immediately and there is no mark.

DC

August 30, 2011 at 12:12 pm

Are there any studies, as opposed to anecdotal sources, showing that soy relieves burn pain and aids healing? I recently suffered second degree burns on my hand. I used ice cold water immediately and it helped, but I could not go on doing that indefinitely (while I slept). I googled the topic and did not find much. I then called the Kaiser Permanente advice nurse. To alleviate the pain she recommended 100% natural aloe vera which is sold cheaply at most drug stores. It worked like magic and I keep some in the house and travel with it. However, I am doubtful that it expedites healing.

Sue

August 30, 2011 at 9:05 am

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Each week we send two free email newsletters with breaking health news, prescription drug information, home remedies and a preview of our award-winning radio show. Make confident choices about your health.

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